Hospitality
The Story Behind Indian Delights with Gyanendra Prasad Kar
Exclusive interview with Gyanendra Prasad Kar, Founder, Indian Delights
What inspired you to start Indian Delights, and how has the journey been since its inception?
Indian Delights was born out of a heartfelt desire to offer Dubai’s Indian community a space that feels like home. Living far from one’s homeland often evokes a yearning for familiar tastes and comforting experiences. Our mission was simple yet profound: to bridge that gap by creating a haven where authentic flavors meet warm hospitality. From the outset, our vision extended beyond serving food to curating an experience that evokes warmth, comfort, and a sense of belonging.
The journey has been deeply rewarding. Over time, Indian Delights has grown from a humble idea into a cherished destination for authentic Indian cuisine. The trust and affection of our patrons have been our driving force. Each challenge along the way has been a lesson, and every milestone has reaffirmed our commitment to delivering excellence.
Can you share the story behind choosing Al Karama as the location for your restaurant?
Al Karama, affectionately known as ‘Mini-India,’ is the heart of Dubai’s Indian culture—a vibrant neighborhood bustling with energy and tradition. With its large Indian expatriate community, it felt like the perfect place to plant our roots.
We chose Karama to connect with our audience on a personal level, offering them the comfort of home after long days. The area’s diversity has also allowed us to cater to a broad spectrum of palates, from traditionalists to first-time explorers of Indian cuisine. Its dynamic atmosphere and cultural richness perfectly align with our ethos, making it an integral part of Indian Delights’ story.
How do you strike a balance between traditional Indian flavors and innovative dishes?
Balancing tradition with innovation lies at the core of our culinary philosophy. While we deeply respect the authenticity of Indian cuisine, we also understand the need to adapt and evolve. Our chefs, experienced in diverse culinary traditions, constantly experiment with modern techniques, presentation, and ingredients. This approach allows us to reimagine classics with contemporary twists while preserving their essence. Whether it’s an innovative take on a classic dish or a completely novel creation, our aim is to appeal to purists and adventurers alike, staying relevant and exciting without compromising the soul of Indian cuisine.
With so many Indian restaurants in Dubai, how does Indian Delights stand out in this competitive culinary landscape?
Indian Delights distinguishes itself by offering more than a meal—we provide an experience. From the moment guests step in, they are enveloped in the warmth and familiarity of home. Every dish is meticulously crafted using premium ingredients, ensuring both authenticity and consistency. What truly sets us apart is our inclusiveness and personalized approach. Beyond our in-house dining, we’ve ventured into catering, tiffin services, and event hosting, tailoring our offerings to diverse customer needs. Whether it’s a cozy family dinner or a grand celebration, we strive to create moments that are as unique as they are memorable. Our commitment to preserving traditional flavors while embracing innovation ensures we remain a trusted name in Dubai’s vibrant culinary landscape.
What role does sourcing premium ingredients play in your menu, and how do you maintain consistency?
Sourcing premium ingredients is the cornerstone of our success. Authenticity begins with quality, and we carefully select every element that goes into our dishes. Our chefs bring expertise from various regions of India, ensuring every dish reflects its roots while meeting our high standards. From preparation to presentation, consistency is a promise we hold dear. This unwavering focus on quality has earned us the trust and loyalty of our patrons.
What’s next for Indian Delights? Are there plans to expand the menu or open new locations in Dubai or beyond?
The future of Indian Delights is rooted in growth and diversification. While new locations aren’t immediately planned, we’ve already expanded our offerings to include catering, tiffin services, and private events. Partnerships with platforms like Careem have also enhanced the accessibility of our food. Looking ahead, we are exploring opportunities to further enrich our menu and services. Our goal remains steadfast: to be a trusted name for authentic Indian cuisine while continually elevating the dining experience we provide.
What is the one thing you hope every guest takes away from their experience at Indian Delights?
We hope every guest leaves with a sense of warmth, satisfaction, and belonging. More than just a meal, we aim to offer a personal and memorable experience—a place where people can connect, celebrate, and create lasting memories.
In your opinion, what’s the single most impactful step the hospitality industry can take toward sustainability?
Sustainability begins with mindful operations, from sourcing responsibly to minimizing waste. At Indian Delights, we’ve embraced eco-friendly practices, including sustainable packaging and optimized resource management. A collective industry commitment to these principles can significantly impact the environment while fostering a culture of responsibility and innovation
Hospitality
GAME ON: THE CROFT LAUNCHES LIVE SPORTS EXPERIENCE WITH AED 17 DRINKS TO CELEBRATE 17 YEARS
Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites is turning up the action at The Croft, introducing a new live sports experience designed for fans who want to watch the game properly with great screens, great atmosphere, and even better deals.
Set in the heart of Dubai Marina, The Croft now shows a packed calendar of live sport across football, rugby, Formula 1, tennis, and every UEFA Champions League fixture. Six indoor screens ensure you’re never far from the action, whether it’s a midweek match or a full weekend line-up.
From Real Madrid and FC Barcelona to Manchester United, Liverpool FC and Arsenal, the world’s biggest clubs take center stage, shown live in a setting that’s lively, social, and effortlessly relaxed.
To mark the hotel’s 17th anniversary, drinks start from just AED 17, adding a celebratory edge to every matchday and making it even easier to settle in for the long haul.
At its core, The Croft keeps things simple: good food, cold drinks, and a proper place to watch the game. British-inspired favorites and classic pub bites round out the experience, making it just as suited to a casual evening as it is to a big match with friends.
THE CROFT – LIVE SPORTS EXPERIENCE
Where the game comes first.
A new go-to for live sport in Dubai Marina, The Croft brings together a full calendar of matches, six indoor screens, and a laid-back, social atmosphere that keeps the focus where it should be: on the game.
With drinks from AED 17 as part of the hotel’s anniversary celebrations, it’s a space designed for fans to settle in, stay awhile, and catch every moment.
WHERE: The Croft, Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Dubai Marina
WHEN: Ongoing PRICE: Drinks starting from AED 17
Opening Hours:
- Tuesday – Saturday: 4:00 PM – 1:00 AM (Dinner)
- Sunday: 12:30 PM – 1:00 AM (Lunch & Dinner)
- Monday: Closed
For more information or to book, visit instagram.com/croftdubai or call 04 319 4000
Hospitality
SHANGHAI ME MARKS WORLD COCKTAIL DAY WITH THE ALCHEMY,
A NEW COCKTAIL COLLECTION

Shanghai Me, the acclaimed Pan-Asian dining destination at the heart of DIFC, is marking World Cocktail Day with the launch of The Alchemy, a new cocktail collection built not around flavour profiles, but around something far more elemental.
Drawing on the five elements of Chinese philosophy, Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, the menu takes its cue from the cyclical logic of the Chinese zodiac, in which each element aligns with its corresponding animal sign only once every sixty years. It is this rare convergence of character and energy that forms the conceptual foundation of the collection, with each cocktail functioning as an interpretation of a specific elemental force.
The result is a menu of considerable range. Some drinks are immediate and bold; others open slowly, revealing texture and progression across each sip. Fire manifests as intensity; Water as something fluid and instinctive; Earth as depth and weight; Metal as cool precision; Wood as forward momentum. Rather than using the zodiac as aesthetic decoration, the collection treats it as a structural framework, with each drink carrying a personality shaped by both its animal sign and its elemental character.
In its approach, The Alchemy reflects the culinary philosophy that has defined Shanghai Me since its Dubai opening, the blending of refined Japanese technique with the bolder flavours of Chinese cuisine, reinterpreted rather than preserved. The collection is helmed by the restaurant’s bar team and developed in keeping with the broader vision of chef-preneur Izu Ani and restaurateur Evgeny Kuzin under Fundamental Hospitality.
The Alchemy launches today, the 13th May, and will be available at Shanghai Me Dubai from that evening.
This is separate from skydive, Tuttofood and others. this is a new press release edit. give me an SEO title (7 words) and meta description (14 words) for this piece. please note my main keyword is Shanghai Me
Hospitality
SUN SIYAM PASIKUDAH LAUNCHES THE ONLY FLOATING OCEAN DINING PLATFORM ON THE WATERS OF PASIKUDAH BAY
Sun Siyam Pasikudah, part of the Privé Collection under Maldivian-owned Sun Siyam Resorts, has officially launched its floating dining platform on the open waters of Pasikudah Bay, the Aqua Lounge. It is the only floating ocean dining platform on the bay, the only solar-powered floating dining platform on Sri Lanka’s east coast, and the only floating fine-dining experience on the open Indian Ocean in eastern Sri Lanka — a meaningful distinction from the lake and river venues that exist elsewhere on the island. There is nothing else like it on this coastline.
The platform spans 400 square feet and is reached by catamaran directly from the resort’s shore. It is built from sustainable timber and recyclable barrels, and runs entirely on solar energy. Both choices reflect the resort’s wider commitments under Sun Siyam Cares, the sustainability programme covering renewable energy, ocean conservation, waste management, and community engagement across all Sun Siyam properties.
What makes the platform stand out is not just where it sits but the thinking behind it. The structure uses sustainable timber and recyclable barrels, runs on solar energy, and reclaimed greywater principles guide the resort’s wider operations on land. The floating platform is a natural extension of that philosophy, applied, quite literally, to the ocean the resort is working to protect.
The dining experience centres on a seven-course menu drawing on the freshness and flavours of the eastern coast. Evenings begin with sunset refreshments as the light shifts over the bay, and the platform stays open through the night for guests who want to linger over a meal with the sound of the water beneath them. For those who want something quieter, a breakfast on the platform is available on request, a more private way to begin the day out on the water.

Beyond the guest experience, the platform carries a genuine community purpose that the team considers just as important. School children from nearby villages are brought out to the platform regularly as part of the resort’s CSR programme, not as a sightseeing trip, but as a hands-on conversation about the bay they have grown up beside, the coral reef beneath it, and what it means to look after both. It is one of the ways Sun Siyam Pasikudah extends its values beyond its own grounds.
“Pasikudah Bay is extraordinary, the curve of it, the shallow water, the way the evening light falls across it,” said Arshed Refai, General Manager of Sun Siyam Pasikudah. “We wanted to put guests right at the centre of that. Not looking at the ocean from the shore, but actually sitting on it. And the menu tells the story of this coast, the ingredients, the fishermen who supply us, the techniques that belong here. That is the east coast experience we want people to leave with.”
Sun Siyam Pasikudah offers 34 contemporary pavilions set along one of Sri Lanka’s most pristine and unspoiled stretches of coastline. The resort has long embedded sustainability into its daily operations, from solar and LED lighting and water conservation to a waste management approach built around reduction, recycling, and composting. As part of the Privé Collection, the boutique tier of The House of Siyam, it is designed for travellers who want to be somewhere specific, not just somewhere beautiful. The floating platform is the latest expression of that: a dining experience that could only exist here, on this bay, on this particular stretch of the Indian Ocean.
Guests can also take advantage of the Summer Offer at Sun Siyam Pasikudah, available for stays until 31 October 2027. The offer includes exclusive savings on room upgrades, dining, and spa treatments, along with added touches such as a complimentary spa experience, kayaking session, and daily bicycle use, all designed to enhance a relaxed and immersive escape on Sri Lanka’s untouched east coast. For reservations and enquiries, guests can reach the resort on +94 65 205 5555 or +94 70 242 4263, or visit www.sunsiyam.com/sun-siyam-pasikudah.
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